A decade ago, updating system BIOS was a cumbersome and risky task that required you to have spare bootable disks and the know-how of flashing from MS-DOS command-line. One wrong command-line argument, and your motherboard is bricked. Then came utilities that flashed BIOS for you, if you specified the updated BIOS ROM image files located on a floppy. As these image files grew in file-size these utilities added support for bigger media, such as USB flash drives. ASRock's latest innovation could see you getting rid of storage media holding BIOS images.

ASRock has developed an update to its UEFI BIOS program that lets it update itself from the web. All you have to do is point it to a working internet connection that uses the motherboard's onboard Ethernet controller. Once configured, the utility calls home to ASRock, checks if a newer version of the BIOS is available, downloads it, and updates itself, with minimal user-intervention. The feature cuts down time spent in finding the right BIOS ROM image online, and copying it to a USB flash drive. Unlike Intel's Express BIOS Update program, it does not need the motherboard to have any storage devices connected. Upcoming ASRock motherboards could ship with the feature, and select current ones could get this feature via a BIOS update.

This reminded me to update the bios on my Extreme4, seems with the newest bios (2.0) they have fully implemented this. The option was there before it just didnt work. Now it has internet options and choice of download server etc.

thumbs up to AsRock

Edit: They also added power on by keyboard support which is fantastic since my front panel header is dead on my board! No more opening the case!

There's a new BIOS for my ASRock board! Too bad I can't go into my BIOS and update it...

But if support does come to my ASRock board I'll use it. One less program to install (Windows based BIOS update tool) and if it has basic checksum calculation, then it's doing more than I usually do. At 1000+ firmware flashes and no problems, I'm either due for one or with a few basic precautions taken, failure is really rare. One of those precautions I take is waiting until after a storm

this wont end well
one error in the server back end
or a corrupt download ....
=

Click to expand...

I understand your fear, but nearly every modern router has a "working bios" and a "reset/default bios". Simply hit the reset pin and the "working bios" is reset to the default one. I cant see any problem so long as Asrock implements it.

they still need to make it save mu F***in overclock profiles, lost them countless times forgetting to write them down or that before an update...not a big fan of the asrock stuff but will have to make do with this

I understand your fear, but nearly every modern router has a "working bios" and a "reset/default bios". Simply hit the reset pin and the "working bios" is reset to the default one. I cant see any problem so long as Asrock implements it.

thats tight, and really the way they should all be by now if you think about it. Most other technologies like blu ray players tvs etc update their firmware over the internet. not quite the same as bios but the same ballpark